 The Mutual Broadcasting System presents The Mysterious Traveler, written, produced, and directed by Robert A. Arthur and David Cooke, and featuring tonight two of Radio's most distinguished personalities, Santos Ortega and Richard Cooke in No Grave Can Hold Me. This is The Mysterious Traveler, inviting you to join me on another journey around the strange and the terrifying. I hope you will enjoy the trip and it will thrill you a little as we travel tonight into the world of shadows, from which no man may return and we learn the story of one who does return. It's a story I call No Grave Can Hold Me. My story starts in a court of law where a man is on trial for his life. The courtroom is tense for the jury is out deciding a prisoner's fate, but the prisoner himself, a tall man with glossy black hair and piercing eyes, sits calmly with his lawyer, his daughter Nora, and his son-in-law Harry Wilson, waiting for the fateful verdict. Father, I think the jury is coming, you know. They say it's a bad sign the majority is out for such a short while. You needn't have to worry, either of you. I shall be free. I certainly hope so, Randolph, but all you know, you did admit you killed Clemens. Because he insulted me. He called me a mountain banker, a charlatan, a trickster. He called the great Randolph a faker, so he died. There they come. Oh, Father, I'm frightened. And they're taking you places in the jury box now. They look awfully grim. I repeat, have no fear for me. Foreman of the jury? Has the jury reached a verdict? It has, Your Honor. What is the verdict? We find the defendant guilty as charged, admitted in the first case. Oh, no, no. Father, who finds you guilty? The fools. They too think that I'm an imposter, a trickster. They shall learn different. If I die, so shall they. The prisoner will rise. Father, you just stand up. The prisoner will rise. Very well. I'll stand up so that they will recognize my face again when they see it suddenly in the night. And know that death has come to claim them. Max, million Randolph, you have been found guilty of the crime of murder in the first degree. It is the sentence of this court that you shall suffer the punishment of death on the night of June 6th at midnight. And may God have mercy on your soul. Thank you, Guard Miller. You've been seen for only five minutes, Mr. Wilson. Yes, all right, Guard. Hello, Randolph. Good evening, Harry. I see that my Guard Miller managed to get you in to see me. Yes, he did. Time is so short that... I know. It's almost midnight. And at midnight, I die. But Guard Miller has become a good friend. I knew he'd arrange it. No, and I saw the governor this afternoon. He refused to do a thing. It does not matter. What is death but a new garment for the soul to wear? Nora's waiting outside. You said you didn't want to see her tonight. That is, as I wished. You were my assistant. We were very close, you and I. And now there is a last promise you must make to me. Anything, Randolph? When you receive my body, the empty husk of the great Randolph, bury it in a vault with a bronze door which faces east. A vault? Facing east. Yes, of course. The door must be locked with a padlock of bronze. But it must be possible to open it from the inside without using a key. Randolph, you... The coffin must be locked shut as well. But I must be able to open it from the inside. Randolph, show you not serious. I never joke. All this and one thing more. Promise. All right, I... I promise. When I am buried, meet my head, must rest a notebook bearing the names and addresses of the twelve jurymen who found me guilty of the prosecuting attorney and of the judge. But why, Randolph? So that I may know where to seek my vengeance upon them. The vengeance I have sworn which must be executed before my soul can sleep. Oh, Randolph, that's madness. You disbelieve. So do they. But in my studies I have learned many things. And one of them is how to reach back from behind the dark curtain of death. Time is up, sir. Thank you, Miller. Goodbye, Harry. Just tell me one more thing. Is the full moon shining tonight? Yes, it's a full moon tonight. Good. Each time hereafter that it shines, one of my enemies will join me in death. And so the great Randolph went to his execution and was buried according to his instructions. After a few days, his case was forgotten. Forgotten by all, but Harry wilson his southern law. Well, as the first month passed and the full moon again shone in the windows of his apartment, he changed restlessness possessed Harry. Harry, what's wrong with you? Oh, I'm sorry, Nora, but tonight, the night of the full moon, I'm nervous. I can't help it. Oh, darling, you're not worrying about father, are you? About his threat? Yes, I am. Oh, but that's absurd. Poor father. So at the end I'm afraid he was suffering from delusions when he was more than just an ordinary man. He wasn't entirely sane, Harry. No, maybe not, but he was so sure of himself, so certain. And he was so sure of his instructions for the way he was to be buried. Oh, of course, I am just being foolish. Why don't you go out and walk for a while, Harry? It'll help calm you. All right, all right, I will. You want to come along tonight? No, I think I'll stay here and read. All right, I'll be back in an hour or so, dear. And if nothing happens tonight, I'll know that Randolph is just putting on an act. A little later, another man was also walking in the moonlight of a beautiful July evening. This one was short and stout. A young homework from a small poker party with his friends. When in the dark shadows cast by the trees along the edge of the park, a tall figure stepped directly into his path. Just a moment, Adam. Who are you? What do you want? Just to talk to you. I don't want to talk to you. Get out of my way. You're so fast, my friend. Look. For good. Say, what is this? A hold up? Adam, it is not the hold up. Then why are you threatening me with that gun? Why have you got that scarf coming in your face? Because my face has changed in the months since I was executed and buried. It's rather frightening now. What are you saying? Why are you anyway? You're beginning to recognize my voice, aren't you? You know who I am. You just don't want to admit it to yourself. Great Randolph. Whom you was forming of the jury caused to be executed. No, no, it's not possible. No one could come back from the dead. No ordinary man. But the great Randolph has found that. No, no, I don't believe it. This is a trick of some kind. And is this a trick, Adam? Is it? Is it? But Tommy killed you. Oh, he's out for a walk. Who is this? Don't you recognize my voice, Nora? Surely you heard it often enough. Father. Oh, no, it can't be. Strange how skeptical everyone is of me. Even my own daughter. Father, it is you. What do you want? I just want to tell Harry that I have claimed the first victim of my vengeance. Exactly on the stroke of midnight. The same minute when I died. Oh, no, no. And I wanted to warn him that he must do nothing to interfere with my plans. No, Nora, you... He telephoned here. You want to speak to me? Yes, Harry, just a little after 12. He said that he... Yes, I... No, I heard the news. I was in a restaurant having coffee and it came out of the radio. Adam's the foreman of the jury with found strangled in front of his home. Oh, but it's impossible. And yet it was his voice, Harry. Father's voice. Oh, we've got to do something. Nora, I've got to warn the others on that list. The other juror is bold when the district attorney in judge Dexter. Yes, but he said if you try to interfere... I know, but that doesn't matter. In the morning I'm going to district attorney Baldwin. He'll believe me. He'll have to. Father, Mr. Baldwin, you've got to listen to me. You've got to warn the others. You've got to give them protection. Or they'll die just as Adam's did. Winston, I'm a busy man. I have enough on my mind without having to listen to wild-eyed stories like the one you just told me. Oh, but it's true. Randall's instructions about the way he wanted to be buried, the notebook that I put in the coffin with him. Mere theatrical memory. Now, Adam's was the victim of an ordinary street mugging. That's all there is to it. I have to ask you to leave. I have more important things to tend to. Mr. Lord, you're a sensible man. You edit the biggest newspaper in this city. If you'll only print what I've told you, the authorities will have to take some action. Wilson, my job is to print news for our readers, not ghost stories. If I ran your story, I'd be fired tomorrow. Then you don't believe me. Tell you what I will do. I'll make a story for the Sunday Supplement. Oh, that won't do any good. If it's in the Sunday Supplement, people will just smile at it. When they see it, they'll know it's just a story. And I'm afraid there's no use in talking any further, Wilson. All right, I'll go to other papers. One of them will have to believe me. I don't advise it. You run a shop. Don't you're selling tricks and magic apparatus? Yes, yes, that's right. Why? Just this. Newspapers don't believe in giving free publicity, and that's obviously what you're after. Goodbye, Mr. Wilson. Sorry, Mr. Wilkin, but Judge Dexter is unable to see you. Oh, but, Miss, did you explain to him what it's about? How important it is? The judge said if you can't write him a letter, he'd give the matter his consideration. Oh, that's no good. I got to talk to him. I'm sorry. He's leaving today for his vacation, and he won't be back for a month. Perhaps he'll be able to see you then, but he simply can't see you now. None of them would listen to me, Nora. They either thought I was crazy or... but I wanted publicity. They all told me to forget it. They're right, Harry. That's the only thing to do to forget it. But, Nora... Maybe we're wrong. Maybe Adam's death last night was just a coincidence. I'm sure Father had nothing to do with it. Oh, no, no, no. He telephoned you. You heard his voice? I'm not sure now that I did. Maybe it was a dream, Harry. Maybe I just imagined it. So forget the whole thing. Please, Harry, for my sake, forget it. It's no good just pacing up and down. Please sit down and try to relax. I can't, Nora. I can't. Tonight's the second full moon since Randolph was executed. He'll be leaving his grave tonight, and someone else will die. But, Harry... There ought to be a guard over the wolf. He's buried in it. Oh, no, that wouldn't do him good. If he came back to him that day, he wouldn't be bothered by a guard. Please, Harry, you've done the best you can. And if it is true, when you go on like this, will you be in danger, too? I don't care. That's less, Nora. The names on it were alphabetical. And Adam's the foreman with the first to die. What are you driving, Nora? The second name on the list is Baldwin, the district attorney, Baldwin. Wouldn't listen to me last time with this knight he's got to. I'm going to his home now while there's still time. Mr. Baldwin, you are in danger tonight. I'm sure of it. Deadly danger. No, you mean it. I'm sure, Will. Yes. I thought it was some kind of a gag before. Now I can see you fully believe everything you've said. Then you will take precaution, at least for tonight. I've been an officer of the law for 30 years. I've been threatened by a lot of convicted murderers, but not one of them has come back to get me yet. But you don't understand. The great Randolph is different. He had powers that we know nothing about. Yeah, perhaps, perhaps, but I doubt it. Now, Wilson, I appreciate your warning, but I can't take it seriously. Then you won't guard yourself? No more than usual. I'll lock the door presently. I'm sure that'll keep out any ghosts who may come this way. Mr. Baldwin, please, it's almost midnight. At least let me stay with you for another hour. I'm sorry, but I'm about ready to turn in. I expect to sleep well, too. Now you go on home, do the same, because nobody's going to be harmed tonight by the great Randolph's spook. I guarantee it. Oh, no, please, I wish you'd let me stay. I couldn't think of it. Now you can find your way out yourself, can't you? I'm sure. Yes, of course. All right, Mr. Baldwin, I won't bother you any longer. Good night. Good night, Wilson. Now, he's gone. I'm afraid the poor fellow needs to see a psychiatrist. Randolph's ghost. I only hope I never have anything worse to be afraid of than what... Who's there? Who came in just now? Wilson, is that you again? Oh, my friend, it is not Wilson. Who are you? What the devil's the meaning of this? You don't recognize me, then? How can I? That cloak with the collar pulled up over your face. That is to spare the world a sight that should remain forever hidden within the darkness of a carpet. But, my boys, surely you recognize that? What are you talking about? Get out at once or I'll call for the police. It would tax their powers to arrest me. They have no authority in the world to which I belong. No. No, it can't be. I see you have recognized me. You should have taken Wilson's warning, Baldwin, because I'm here. The great Randolph at your service. Oh, this is impossible. That's been said of so many things, but I think I can convince you. No, stay away. Help! Help! That won't do you any good by the time anyone comes who will have joined me in the world of death. No, don't wave, you bin. I just went out to get the morning papers, why? Why? It's happened again. Just like attorney Baldwin has been killed. But how? Exactly the same way Mr. Adams was killed, strangled. Just at midnight. Oh, no. And Nora, I think I know the truth now. What do you mean? I don't believe it was your father at all. I think it was I that killed them. I killed them both. Oh, no, you've got to do it. There's a full moon tonight. You've got to lock me in this apartment. Oh, but, Harry, you couldn't possibly have killed those two men. I could. I was near the scene at both times, but it wasn't clear. I don't remember doing it, but don't you see, if I'd been hypnotized, I wouldn't remember. But, darling, father couldn't have hypnotized you into committing murder. It's a law of hypnosis. The subject won't do anything he knows is wrong. No, I know that, but I can't be sure. I believe that in those few minutes I was with him, somehow Randolph impressed on my mind, orders to carry out his vengeance for him. Oh, darling, I'm sure he didn't. But if you insist, I'll lock you in. All right. Well, I want you to go now. I cannot be safe for you to say with me. All right, Harry. I'll go to a movie. You've got to stay locked in until after midnight. Then even if I am hypnotized, I won't be able to do any harm. You do understand, Nora, don't you? Oh, of course, darling. I'm sure you're wrong, but I'll do anything you say. All right, now. Lock me in. And don't you come back until after midnight. Then I'll know. Well, maybe I'll try to get out, and I won't remember it. Yes. I'm glad at least you don't say, no, it's impossible. No, where are you, Randolph? I just wanted to warn you, and don't try to interfere with my plans. But, Randolph, I thought, hello, hello. Who is that? I'm not the one. Then in that case, yes, that's the only possible answer. I know now what the truth is. I've got to get out of here. The door. I'm so sorry. I couldn't break it down with an axe. There's no fire escape, and it's eight floors down to the street. I have at the superintendent, I can telephone the superintendent, tell him I locked in, and then you'll come and let me out. Judge Dexter, first, Adams died. Then Baldwin. Their names were the first two on the Great Adam Randolph's list. Your name is third. And so you think that tonight I'm scheduled to die, huh? Yes, yes, I'm sure of it. And you say you warned Baldwin last month just before he was murdered? I did. And he laughed at me. But he died just the same. And you're seriously asking me to believe that a dead man legally executed by the state is walking the streets tonight seeking my life? I tell you, he telephoned me only half an hour ago. I recognized his voice. You know, of course, that your story sounds like the ravings of an insane mind. I know it. That's why I've kept quiet this last month. I did try to convince the police, the district attorney, and all I got was laughed at. And then... Yes. And yet, obviously, you're in earnest. I don't think you're crazy. I'm not. For a little while, I thought that I was the killer. You? How? I thought that I was under post-hypnotic control. Randolph had planted in my mind the impulse to kill his enemies. But that phone call proved that I was wrong. And what do you propose that we do? If we went to his tomb, perhaps then we'd learn the truth. Well, Wilson, what do you want to open Randolph's tomb for? If we go there and we find Randolph is still in his coffin, then I'll know that the real murderer is my wife, Nora. I have the key right here. I'll have the padlock. I'll have a minute. Well, then hurry. The moon is bright. I'd hate to have anyone see us. Yes, sir. You're a very strange story. A man in my position prowling around the cemetery at midnight. Oh, but we had to come. Judge, we had to make sure. Well... Yeah. But like that, we can open the door. I'm rather sorry I paid any attention to you, Wilson. But we're here now, so let's get this thing over with. Now, I'm going in first. But don't forget, I'm armed. Oh, don't worry about me. There, I've shut the door. Be safe to turn on the flashlight now. There. See? There's the coffin. That's odd. Huh? What is it, Judge? Well, the air in here is fresh. This vault has been opened and very recently. Then it must have been opened by Randolph. Oh, nonsense. Open this coffin and I'll prove it here. How does it work? This catch on the side can be operated either from the inside or out. There we go. It's unlocked. Well, then lift the lid, man. Lift it. What? All right. I'll do it. There. There you are. Now, see? There's your precious Randolph, safe and sound, just as I expected. Quite dead, as he's supposed to be. He's still in this coffin. Yes, and that proves that it... Wilson, shine your flashlight down on the floor. I just touched a body lying here near the wall. Body? It's newer. She's dead. I don't think so. Here, give me that flashlight. What happened? Why did you turn out the flashlight? Something melted out of my hands. I can't find it. Of course I have it, Harry. That's why you can't find it. I am not. Wilson, what are you saying? It's Randolph. He's not dead. Oh, but I am, Harry. But don't let that disturb you. I want to thank you for bringing the judge here to me. Wilson, what are you? You're trying to play a trick on me? No, no, I swear. He's quite the innocent judge, Dexter. And as for Nora, she merely came to make sure I was that I'm supposed to be. Just as you get. When I spoke to her, she painted. Wilson, get the door open. We've got to have some light in here. Let's know you, Dexter. I can see in the dark like a cat and you can't talk. I have you now. No, judge. Where are you? You're going to die, Dexter. That cuter. As you ordered me. Executed. Randolph, let me go. I warn you, Randolph. I've got a gun. I'm going to shoot. You're too late. You all right? Yes. Yes, I am. Now see if you can find the flashlight. I think I've taken care of Mr. Randolph if it was Randolph. I think I have it. Yes, here it is. Judge. Randolph's burning. It's still in the coffin. I'd rather thought it would be. Harry. Oh, no. You're not hurt? No, just my head. I came here to see a father. Oh, you understand, Mrs. Wilson. And then someone hit you. Yes, but behind. There was someone here in the vault. I just got a glimpse of him and then and then he hit me. But who was it? That's what we're just about to find out now. Let me have the flashlight, Wilson. Yes, of course. I think he fell over here now. Yes, here he is. But who is he? He was impersonating father, but who is he? I hear he's lying on his face. It's better to turn him over carefully now. He's still breathing. And that's it. Oh, hey. It's Miller, the guard from the penitentiary. The one Randolph said he made a friend of. Yes, the one who was guarding him just before he was executed. So that's it. It was Miller. Miller, can you hear me? I'm afraid he's dying. Before father was executed, he must have hypnotized this man and ordered him to carry out his fantastic scheme of vengeance. That was a trick, but it was a very cunning trick. By means of hypnosis, Randolph used this man as a tool. Even though Randolph himself was dead. He must have recognized that Miller was unusually susceptible. I think we'll find that Miller was a psychotic to begin with. Otherwise, Randolph's hypnosis would never have worked. For no normal person can be influenced the way Miller was under any circumstances. Isn't there anything we can do for him? No. No, he's gone. And with him the great Randolph has died too. For good. The mysterious Traver again. So the great Randolph is dead for good, is he? I wonder. After all, Miller wasn't the only guard Randolph had a chance to talk to. Oh, but he couldn't have hypnotized any of the others. I wouldn't give it another thought if I were you. Unless, of course, you were on the jury that convicted Randolph. In that case? Yeah, you'll have to get off here. I'm sorry. I'm sure we'll meet again. I take this same train every week at the same time. You have just heard the Mysterious Traveller. A series of dramas of the strange and terrifying. The role of the Mysterious Traveller is played by Maurice Chocolate. In tonight's cast were Satis Ortega, Richard Cougan, Shirley Blank and Bill Smith. Original music composed and played by Al Finnelli. All characters in this story were fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons was purely coincidental. This is Bob Emmerich speaking. This program came from New York. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System.